Northglenn Business Focus: O'Meara Ford Center

Dedicated to service, parts, sales

An older model car built by Al O'Meara Sr. sits in the garage at O'Meara Ford.

A car on display in the showroom at O'Meara Ford.

Interview with Bonnie Murray, advertising manager

Q: How did you get involved in this business?

A: I was fresh out of the Army and was looking for a job in advertising. I applied at O'Meara Ford, was hired as an advertising assistant and 36 years later, I am the advertising manager and spokesperson for the dealership. I have worked for O'Meara since 1976.

Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?

A: Our business is one of service to our customers. Our business profile is service-parts-sales, in that order. We aren't satisfied unless you are. Most sales companies want a one-time deal and go on to the next customer. We want customers for life — families. That is our structure and that is what we cater to. Our company is 100 years old. We are in our fourth generation, and we didn't attain this position by blowing through customers. We invest our time the same as our more than 1.5 million customers, one at a time.

A: My line of work affords me the privilege of meeting all of our customers personally. I have an office on the showroom floor. If I am in-house, my sales team alerts me when someone wants to speak to me about their purchase or service work or whatever. Happy or unhappy, I speak to them all. Time is a precious commodity, everyone deserves to be heard.

Q: What is your business' biggest challenge?

A: The automobile business's biggest challenge is one of education. Buying American-made isn't just a slogan. Our products mean a lot to us and to our consumers. Letting the consumer know that we pay taxes, support our communities and build a really fine vehicle is worth its weight in gold. Foreign-made products are just that, no taxes, concessions that don't benefit our country and an unlevel playing field are what we are up against. I'd pit my Fords against any vehicle out there, bar none.

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Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:

A: O'Meara Ford is 100 years old. Of the original six franchised Ford dealerships, O'Meara Ford is the only one left. We are proud to be a part of Denver's past and present. We look forward to another 100 years.

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